Impact of Co-Inoculation Patterns of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> on Cider Quality and Aromatic Profiles

Co-inoculation with <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> and non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts is an effective method to improve the flavor of cider. <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i>, known for its high ester production capacity, was evaluated in combination with <i>...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yue Wei, Jianguo Mou, Haoran Zhang, Aiying Gao, Yi Qin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1620
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849730399860686848
author Yue Wei
Jianguo Mou
Haoran Zhang
Aiying Gao
Yi Qin
author_facet Yue Wei
Jianguo Mou
Haoran Zhang
Aiying Gao
Yi Qin
author_sort Yue Wei
collection DOAJ
description Co-inoculation with <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> and non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts is an effective method to improve the flavor of cider. <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i>, known for its high ester production capacity, was evaluated in combination with <i>S. cerevisiae</i> to identify optimal mixed yeast inoculants for improved sensory characteristics. Three <i>W. anomalus</i> strains and three inoculation ratio attributes (1:5, 1:1, and 5:1) were tested to assess their impact on the physicochemical indices and sensory attributes of cider. All the strains used as starters developed fermentation-producing ciders with alcoholic degrees between 6.22 and 6.36 (% <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>). Co-inoculation with <i>W. anomalus</i> resulted in significantly higher ester, volatile acid, and higher alcohol levels compared to those of <i>S. cerevisiae</i> monocultures, increasing the complexity of fruity and floral aromas. Furthermore, the proportion of <i>W. anomalus</i> strains in the inoculations was positively correlated with increased aromatic esters and higher alcohols. The Sc–Wa (1:5) cider showed the highest contents of ethyl ethanoate and 3-methylbutan-1-ol, contributing to a nail polish-like aroma. Sc–Wa (1:1) yielded a higher aromatic diversity than did Sc–Wa (5:1), suggesting that co-inoculation with a ratio of 1:1 may provide an effective fermentation strategy for cider aroma enhancement. These findings offer valuable insights into how non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts can be effectively applied in cider co-fermentation, providing a foundation for their future use in industrial applications.
format Article
id doaj-art-d3405dbf280f4bd1b7e1f6c0ce3673c1
institution DOAJ
issn 1420-3049
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Molecules
spelling doaj-art-d3405dbf280f4bd1b7e1f6c0ce3673c12025-08-20T03:08:53ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-04-01307162010.3390/molecules30071620Impact of Co-Inoculation Patterns of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> on Cider Quality and Aromatic ProfilesYue Wei0Jianguo Mou1Haoran Zhang2Aiying Gao3Yi Qin4College of Enology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, ChinaCollege of Enology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, ChinaCollege of Enology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, ChinaTaian Institute for Food and Drug Control (Taian Fiber Inspection Institute), Taian 271000, ChinaCollege of Enology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, ChinaCo-inoculation with <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> and non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts is an effective method to improve the flavor of cider. <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i>, known for its high ester production capacity, was evaluated in combination with <i>S. cerevisiae</i> to identify optimal mixed yeast inoculants for improved sensory characteristics. Three <i>W. anomalus</i> strains and three inoculation ratio attributes (1:5, 1:1, and 5:1) were tested to assess their impact on the physicochemical indices and sensory attributes of cider. All the strains used as starters developed fermentation-producing ciders with alcoholic degrees between 6.22 and 6.36 (% <i>v</i>/<i>v</i>). Co-inoculation with <i>W. anomalus</i> resulted in significantly higher ester, volatile acid, and higher alcohol levels compared to those of <i>S. cerevisiae</i> monocultures, increasing the complexity of fruity and floral aromas. Furthermore, the proportion of <i>W. anomalus</i> strains in the inoculations was positively correlated with increased aromatic esters and higher alcohols. The Sc–Wa (1:5) cider showed the highest contents of ethyl ethanoate and 3-methylbutan-1-ol, contributing to a nail polish-like aroma. Sc–Wa (1:1) yielded a higher aromatic diversity than did Sc–Wa (5:1), suggesting that co-inoculation with a ratio of 1:1 may provide an effective fermentation strategy for cider aroma enhancement. These findings offer valuable insights into how non-<i>Saccharomyces</i> yeasts can be effectively applied in cider co-fermentation, providing a foundation for their future use in industrial applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1620cider quality<i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i><i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>co-inoculation
spellingShingle Yue Wei
Jianguo Mou
Haoran Zhang
Aiying Gao
Yi Qin
Impact of Co-Inoculation Patterns of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> on Cider Quality and Aromatic Profiles
Molecules
cider quality
<i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i>
<i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>
co-inoculation
title Impact of Co-Inoculation Patterns of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> on Cider Quality and Aromatic Profiles
title_full Impact of Co-Inoculation Patterns of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> on Cider Quality and Aromatic Profiles
title_fullStr Impact of Co-Inoculation Patterns of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> on Cider Quality and Aromatic Profiles
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Co-Inoculation Patterns of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> on Cider Quality and Aromatic Profiles
title_short Impact of Co-Inoculation Patterns of <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i> and <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i> on Cider Quality and Aromatic Profiles
title_sort impact of co inoculation patterns of i wickerhamomyces anomalus i and i saccharomyces cerevisiae i on cider quality and aromatic profiles
topic cider quality
<i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i>
<i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>
co-inoculation
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/7/1620
work_keys_str_mv AT yuewei impactofcoinoculationpatternsofiwickerhamomycesanomalusiandisaccharomycescerevisiaeionciderqualityandaromaticprofiles
AT jianguomou impactofcoinoculationpatternsofiwickerhamomycesanomalusiandisaccharomycescerevisiaeionciderqualityandaromaticprofiles
AT haoranzhang impactofcoinoculationpatternsofiwickerhamomycesanomalusiandisaccharomycescerevisiaeionciderqualityandaromaticprofiles
AT aiyinggao impactofcoinoculationpatternsofiwickerhamomycesanomalusiandisaccharomycescerevisiaeionciderqualityandaromaticprofiles
AT yiqin impactofcoinoculationpatternsofiwickerhamomycesanomalusiandisaccharomycescerevisiaeionciderqualityandaromaticprofiles